Shielded eaves troughs



Feb. 17, 1959 H. c. HEIER 2,873,700

SHIELDED EAVES TROUGHS Filed Aug. 28; 1953 7 12 FIG.4.

INVENTOR. HENRY C. HEIER United States Patent F 2,873,700 SHIELDED EAVES TROUGHS Henry c. Heier, Imperial, Ms. Application August 28,1953, Serial N... 377,165

4 Claims. (c1. ins-2a This invention relates to improvements in shielded eaves troughs, and more particularly to improvements in an eaves trough structure that prevents foreign material, such as leaves, twigs and like material which may be washed from the roof, from entering and clogging the trough, and yet permits water to enter freely into the trough.

It is a principal object of this invention to realize an eaves trough structure which will elfectively separate any solids from the entraining water that is washed from a roof as during a rainstorm. The novel construction of the eaves trough assembly prevents the introduction of such solids as leaves, twigs, rocks and like material into the trough, and serves to guide and direct the water into the trough incident to drainage to a sewerage system.

Another highly important objective is realized in providing an eaves trough which is so formed that any material other than water will pass over the trough and be expelled onto the ground therebelow, and that the water will be diverted into the interior of the trough.

Still another important object is realized in a bracket structure that interconnects and secures adjacent lengths of trough sections, the bracket being adapted to fix the relative positions of such adjacent trough sections upon assembly. Further objectives and advantages are realized by the bracket in securely fastening the eaves troughs toan eaves plate subtending .the'roof sheathing, and in locating adjacent coacting portions of the troughs to provide a longitudinal .water inlet port.

Yet another important object is realizedby the provision of a water gate structure carried internally 'of the trough structure, and adaptedto block effectively the water inlet port under inoperative circumstances and conditions, and yet adapted to permit the entrance of water into the trough during. a rainstorm. The gate structure is specifically adapted to prevent any dust or foreign objects from being brought into the trough by wind, and to eliminate or at leastto a. major extent reduce the turbulence of the flow of water through the inlet port, and hence in the trough incident to drainage.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an eaves trough structure having the foregoing advantages and others-as will hereinafter be apparent, which is simple in construction and assembly, durable in operation and inexpensive in manufacture.

The foregoing and numerous other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing,. in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary'perspective view showing the eaves trough assembled below a roof structure;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational'vi'ew of a pair ofeaves trough sections connected in alignment by a bracket strip;

' shown in transverse cross section in Fig. 3.,

p 2,873,700 Patented Feb. 17, 1959 Fig. 3 is a view in cross section as taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view as taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in cross section as taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in cross section as taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view as seen along line 7--.7 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of .an eaves trough and an outside corner bracket in cross section as taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

' Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first to Fig. 1, a plurality of lengths of eaves trough, generally indicated at 10, are shown mounted in' sections adjacent a roof structure. A bracket strip referred to at 11 is utilized to secure adjacent eaves troughs 10 in alignment, while mitered bracket 12 is used to secure and position the eaves troughs about an outside corner. Similarly, bracket 13 is used to fix and arrange the eaves troughs about an inside corner.

Each eaves trough is preferably formed of a sheet metal, and is shaped to provide the configuration best From Fig. 3, it is apparent that the eaves trough 10 consists of a lower curvilinear trough portion 14 serving as a gutter that is or may be substantiallyarcuate in transverse section. The outermost wall 15 of trough portion 14 extends downwardly in an arcuate path to aiford an upwardly concave trough structure. The innermost wall of trough portion 14 extends vertically upward to provide a planar mounting portion 16.

Shown as formed integrally with the upper end of vertical wall portion 16, is a cover portion 17 of subtantially greater width than trough portion 14 so as to overhang the trough along the outside edge thereof. Spaced from vertical wall 16 is a substantially uppermost longitudinal formation 18 constituting a water retarding and distributing ridge, the purpose and function of which will be later more fully described. The inner region 19 of the cover portion 17 located to the right of ridge 18 (Fig. 3), has only a slight pitch, the region 19 constituting a fall plate that receives the flow of water directly from the roof structure. Of course, the fall plate 19 having a slight pitch is particularly adapted for use where the roof has a .steep pitch, the fall plate 19 serving to slow and spread the flow of water from such roof. It is also intended within the scope of this invention, that the pitch of fall plate 19 can be increased, and used with a roof having a slight pitch, in which case the slow flow of water'from the roof is accelerated by the steeper pitch of the cover portion 17.

The outer part of cover 17 to the left of ridge 18 (Fig. 3) is shaped and formed to realize a U-shaped or a substantially semi-elliptical reentrant portion. This outer part of cover 17 extends outwardly and downwardly from ridge 18 along an elliptical curve, and gradually increases in downward slope to an outermost sharply curved breaking ledge 20. The ledge 20 is formed and sharply rounded on a small radius. The cover 17 is then reversed from ledge 20, and is extended downwardly and inwardly to form a water-directing leg 21 that passes above in spaced relation to and overlaps the outermost edge of trough wall 15, the leg 21 terminating well within trough portion 14. The space provided between the reversed or reentrant leg 21 and trough wall 15 affords a longitudinal slot constituting an inlet port to the interior of trough portion 14.

In order to secure the eaves troughs '10 to a roof structure, any of brackets 11, 12 and 13 may be conveniently utilized depending upon the particular assembly. Each of 'the above noted brackets is constructedto secure together and position the adjacent lengths of caves troughs 10. Since the principlesemployedby each bracketv are the same, and only minor structural modifications are necessary to adapt the brackets for the specific problems illustrated in Fig. 1, it is believed that a complete description ofbracket 11 and correlating reference to the other brackets 12 and 13 will provide a complete disclosure.

Bracket 11, for example is used to fasten and connect adjacent eaves troughs in a straight alignment. The bracket 11 consists of a doubled strip structure, each strip havinglateral flanges 22..and an intermediate internally depressed rib 23 as. is more clearly shown in Figs. 2, 4'and'6. The overlying flanges 22 ofthe paired strips are adapted to receive therebetween the. ends-of adjacent trough lengths 10, and'rib 22 servesas an abut- -ment for the trough ends received in the bracket to constitute a slip joint.

The bracket strip 11 is so formed and shaped as to provide a lower arcuate portion 24 as shown in transverse section by Fig. 3, a vertical wallportion 24, and a cover portion 26'having a ridge 27 formed in each lateral flange 22, all of which closely conforms to the corresponding gutter and cover portions of the trough structure. It will be noted that the outer part of cover portion 26 of. bracket 11 follows the same U-shaped' or semi-elliptical curved structure of the cover portion 17 of trough 10, and provides a reversed leg 30.

As best viewed in Figs. 3 and'S, the arcuate portion 24 is provided with an inturned horizontal flange 31 that normally'abuts and overlies the outer wall of trough portion 14. The reversed'leg 30 of bracket 11 extends downwardly and inwardly to engage the inner margin of flange 31. is depressed so that its inner surface is flush with the adjacent inner surface of the eaves troughs 10 when telescopically assembled in bracket strip 11. Of course, this flush interfitting bracket and trough structure, as

best viewed in Figs. 4 and 6, will realize an unobstructed and free flow of water from one trough, through the bracketand' thence to the other adjacent trough.

A Wedge piece 36 constituting a spacer is located between horizontal flange 31 and adjacent reversed leg 31 of bracket 11. A screw element 37 is received through" a raised boss formed on internalrib 23, and is threadedly engaged with wedge piece 36 and horizontal flange 31'.

The bracket strips 11 are attached to the roof structure at regularly spaced intervals, each bracket being fastened by screws 32 that extend through intermediaterib 23 for threaded engagement with a vertical eaves plate 33 located below sheathing 34 and with joist '35.

In assembling the eaves troughs 10 to opposite sides of bracket strip 11, the ends of the eaves troughs are slipped into position between the paired, spaced lateral flanges 22 until the ends abut rib 23. The otherwise open ends of the terminal trough sections are provided with suitable closure caps (not shown). it will be particularly noted that the reversed water-directing leg 21 is retained in spaced relation to the outermost wall 15-of trough portion 14 by the wedge connection ofbracket 11. Since the space provided between leg 21 and wall 15 constitutes a water inlet port, it is seen that the dimensions of such port may be varied by the size of wedge piece 36 utilized. It is obvious that a larger wedge piece 36 will hold flange 31 and reversed leg 30 of bracket 11 further apart, and hence will serve to spread reversed cover leg 21 and trough wall 15 to form a larger longitudinal inlet slot to accommodate a greater flow of water.

During a rainstorm, the water that'flows 011 of the roof structure will entrain foreign material such as leaves, twigs, carbon particles and like material, and will flow onto the fall plate 19 of cover portion 17. Since the It is preferred that the internal rib 23' region constituting the fall plate 19 has a slight pitch, which assumes a steep pitched roof, the flow of water will be spread or distributed more or less as an even film or sheet, and its velocity considerably reduced to assure an even flow into the trough. As the water flows outwardly over fall plate 19, it encounters raised ridge 18 that further retards the flow velocity and causes an even distribution of water. After leaving ridge 18, the water flows down the gradually increasing slope of cover 17 until it reaches the outermost rounded breaking ledge 20. In that region, the foreign material carried by the flow of water is. expelled from cover portion 17 and droppedto the ground. The-water, on the other hand, is diverted around breaking. ledge 20 and directed into the water inlet port by reversed leg 21 and thence into the interior of concave trough portion 14. The water is then carried by gravity through the eaves trough structure to. a vertical downspout drain (not shown) connected to a sewerage system.

The end of reversed cover leg 30 of bracket 11 is continued inwardly, and is formed to provide a vertical flange referred to at 41. The flange 41 is constructed to provide opposed flange arms 42 that project laterally outward of bracket 11 and partially into the end of each adjacent trough 10 as is shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7. Each flange arm 42 is bifurcated to form a lower horizontally extending arm portion 43 that constitutes a pivot as will later appear, and anupper arm portion 44 as best viewed in Figs; 3 and 4.

An inverted v-sha ed gate" or closure 45 comprised ofan angulate strip, is'mounted on the horizontal pivots afforded'by flanges 41 of a pair of spaced brackets 11. The V-shaped gate 45 is inverted, and the ends inserted into the bifurcation formed in flange arms 42, the gate 45 being arranged between horizontal arm portions 43 and 44 so that the apex of the gate is pivotally supported on arm portions 43. In the preferred structure, the gate 45 is formed symmetrically, and is so dimensioned that one wall 46 of gate 45 normally contacts and engages the inner surface of trough portion 14 below the water inlet port, and abuts the end margin of reversed cover leg 21. The horizontal arm portion 44 overlies gate 45, and serves to retain the gate on its pivotal mounting and supporting arm portion 43. It will appear that gate 45'is balanced on arm portion 43 in the position indicated by the full lines of Fig. 3, and yet is pivotally mounted so as to be swung to the position shown in dashed lines in'response to a flow of water through the longitudinal inlet port. The gate 45 is limited in its range of swingable movement by arm portion 43 which abuts the gate when it is swung to the dashed line position, the arm portion 43 constituting a stop means.

As the flow of water is directed to and through the inlet port by reversed cover leg 21, the water will strike Wall 46 of gate 45 and consequently will swing gate 45 to the open position. The gate 45 serves to reduce the velocity of water flow after passage through the inlet port, and operates to minimize turbulence by directing and guiding the flow to the side wall of trough portion 14, and hence to the side of the stream of water flowing longitudingally along trough portion 14. Another important advantage is realized in the elimination of any undesirable dust or foreign objects that might be brought into the trough by wind through the inlet port, since wall 46' of gate 45 eifectively closes the port in its normal pendular disposition by its contiguous relation to the inner margin of reversed cover leg 21 and the wall 15 of trough portion 14.

Fig. 8 discloses a minor modification in a bracket structure, the bracket 12 being utilized for mitered outside corners as is shown in Fig. 1. The outside corner bracket 12 is constructed somewhat similarly to bracket 11 previously described, the bracket 12 including lateral flanges 50 adapted to overlie the ends of troughs 10. An internal intermediate portion 51 corresponds to internal rib 23 of bracket 11, and provides an abutment that positions and fixes the troughs when inserted into flanges 50. The innermost end of a reversed cover leg 52 is also provided with a vertical flange 53 having one arm 54 extended laterally outward to support the swingable water gate 45 in pivotal relation. Another arm (not shown) is provided at the opposite side, in the same manner as arm 54, to support a gate 45 located internally of an adjacent trough. In addition, a screw 55 is threaded through reversed cover leg 52, and through a similar wedge piece or spacer 56 to engagement with an inturned flange that corresponds to flange 31 of bracket 11. The bracket 13 is also similarly constructed, but specifically adapted for connecting adjacent troughs 10 to an inside corner.

In order to facilitate disassembly of the eaves trough structure, the troughs 10 may be constructed of separable parts, whereby the cover portion 17 may be removed without disturbing the mounting of the underlying trough portion 14.

It is thought that the function of the above described eaves trough structure has become apparent, but for completeness of disclosure it will be noted that the water coming off of the assumed steep pitched roof is delivered to fall plate 19 which, as briefly described, retards and distributes the flow over cover 17. When the flow reaches ridge 18, the velocity is further reduced, and the stream further spread to afford an even flow into trough portion 14. After leaving ridge 18, the flow increases slightly in velocity until it encounters the sharply curved overhanging breaking ledge 20. At this point, any foreign material carried in the stream of water is dropped off of ledge 20, and the flow of water is diverted along the reversed cover leg 21, and thence directed into the water inlet ports The flow of water is then retarded by the engagement with swingable water gate 45, and is directed to the lateral wall of trough portion 14 for steady delivery to the stream carried therein to the sewer drain.

It is extremely important that the breaking ledge 20 is located outwardly remote from a vertical plane through the upper margin of outermost wall of trough 14. Some foreign objects, such as leaves, which are at times entrained in the flow of water from the roof, can be influenced to a certain extent by the wind. For example, a Wind may catch a leaf just before it separates from ledge and blows the leaf into the water inlet port if such ledge 20 were located in alignment with or inwardly of the vertical plane through the upper margin of outermost wall 15 of the trough. This cannot happen with the particular structure disclosed herein, since the breaking ledge 20 is located in outwardly remote location to the water inlet port. Wind cannot blow any foreign object such as leaves, before such objects can fall free and clear of ledge 20.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a preferred embodiment, and minor modifications in bracket structures, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the fair scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. An eaves trough structure in the nature of a covered gutter, the covering element of which is attached to the gutter and so formed as to slope downwardly and out-- wardly laterally of the gutter, the outer portion of the cover consisting of a curved reentrant element extending to an end margin located in the trough and being arranged in spaced relation to the trough to provide a water inlet port to the trough, and a closure swingably mounted within the structure and adjacent said inlet port, the closurehaving a wall normally abutting a wall surface of the trough between the water inlet port and abutting the said end margin of the reentrant element.

2. In an eaves trough structure, a lower portion comprising the gutter, an upper portion serving as a cover for the gutter and of a width to extend in laterally overhanging relation thereto, a reversed portion of the cover being directed from said overhanging portion downwardly and rearwardly to an end margin located in the gutter and arranged in space relation with the gutter to provide a longitudinal water inlet port, and a closure located inwardly of said port having a wall normally engaging a wall surface of the gutter below the water inlet port and engaging the said end margin of the reversed cover portion in port-closing position, and means yieldably mounting said closure within the structure so that said closure moves away from said wall surface of the gutter and the end margin of the reversed cover portion when engaged by a stream of water into the gutter through said port.

3. In a top shielded eaves trough structure provided with a water inlet opening along one of its sides, a closure for said opening consisting of an inverted V-shaped element substantially coextensive in length with the trough, spaced brackets for supporting the trough, and supports carried by said brackets, providing pivot elements about which said V-shaped element is rockingly supported.

4. In an eaves trough structure, a plurality of lengths of covered guttering, each such length including a gutter, a cover thereabove of substantially greater width than the gutter and overhanging same along the outside of the gutter, the overhanging portion of the cover including a reentrantly folded portion providing an outer fall-breaking ledge, whence the fold portion is extended downwardly thence inwardly to provide an end margin inwardly of the gutter, and providing with a wall of the gutter, a longitudinal water receiving slot; a swingably supported slot closure element, brackets supporting the ends of said lengths of trough and cover, pivot elements carried by and extended horizontally from the brackets into the adjacent lengths of the troughs, the closure being swingably supported by the pivot elements, the closure having a wall that normally contacts the in ner surface of the trough below the water-receiving slot and abuts the end margin of the reentrantly folded portion of the cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 836,012 Cassen Nov. 13, 1906 891,405 Cassen June 23, 1908 891,406 Cassen a June 23, 1908 1,238,993 Edwards Sept. 4, 1917 1,682,840 Foerch Sept. 4, 1928 2,669,950 Bartholomew Feb. 23, 1954 2,672,832 Goetz Mar. 23, 1954 

